**Cyclone Ditwa Approaches Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coast, Heavy Rain Expected**
Cyclonic storm Ditwa is making its way towards the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast and is anticipated to make landfall today, bringing heavy rainfall to coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and parts of southern Andhra Pradesh. The severe weather has significantly disrupted daily life across southern India, affecting air, rail, and road services.
The cyclone has already caused extensive damage in Sri Lanka and is currently located over the Vedaranyam coast in Nagapattinam district, approximately 80 km east of Karaikal and 250 km south of Chennai. As it nears the coastline, the storm has weakened. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that the system is likely to move nearly northward, parallel to the North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts over the next 24 hours. By Sunday morning, the storm is expected to come within 50 km of the coast, reducing to 25 km by evening.
The impact of the cyclone has led to turbulent sea conditions along the coast. Choppy waves have damaged several mechanized fishing boats near Mandapam, and severe sea erosion has breached portions of nearby roads. Vedaranyam has experienced continuous heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in various areas and crippling salt production, with nearly 9,000 acres of salt pans affected.
Districts such as Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Villuppuram, Chengalpattu, and the Puducherry-Karaikal region are under a red alert for extremely heavy rain. An orange alert has been issued for Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Ranipet districts. The IMD has also warned of gale-force winds reaching speeds of 70-80 kmph, with gusts up to 90 kmph expected on Sunday morning. Wind speeds are projected to decrease gradually, becoming squally at 45-55 kmph by the morning of December 1.
In response to the impending storm, Tamil Nadu’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K. Ramachandran stated that while it remains uncertain whether the cyclone will directly impact Chennai, the state government is fully prepared to implement rescue and relief measures. Approximately 28 disaster response teams, including those from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are on standby, with plans to airlift 10 additional teams from other states.
As the situation develops, authorities are closely monitoring the cyclone’s path and its potential impact on the region.
**FAQ**
**What precautions are being taken in Tamil Nadu due to Cyclone Ditwa?**
The Tamil Nadu government has deployed disaster response teams and is prepared to implement rescue and relief measures as the cyclone approaches the coast.
